Deer don't like bad weather. Rain, wind and snow make it harder for them
to hear, see, and/or smell danger. Deer typically move around less in inclement
weather because their instincts tell them they're "at risk."
That's bad news for bowhunters, as most of us are perched in trees waiting
for deer to move by us. Is it worth then to hunt in the rain, wind or snow?

The answer is "maybe." It all depends
upon how bad the weather is, and where you're hunting at the time.

Hunting Strategies for
Inclement Weather

WEATHER

Light

Moderate

Heavy

Rain

Normal treestand tactics.

Still-hunt heavy cover if you must be in the woods.

Stay home

Wind

Treestand or still-hunting.

Treestand/still-hunt sheltered areas or in heavy
cover.

Still-hunt heavy cover or sheltered areas.

Snow

Treestand or still-hunting

Still-hunt heavy cover.

Stay Home

Rain
Most deer bed down and wait rain showers out. Heavy rains can send deer
into thick cover, but it's not unusual to find deer bedding in areas with
good visibility too. Deer will depend more upon their eyes to detect danger
when their ability to hear and, to some extent, smell are limited. If it's
raining lightly, many expert hunters suggest that the best thing to do
is stick to your treestand. Deer will still move in a light rain, especially
if the rut is on. If it starts to rain harder, you might just as well head
home... or at least that's what I do. Deer don't move much at all in downpours.
Rain does offer some opportunities for experienced still-hunters. It's
certainly easy to sneak through the woods when it's pouring. But you still
have to beat a deer's eyesight... and that's never easy.

Wind
Deer greatly dislike wind because it hampers all of their senses. They
can't hear because of the wind. Detecting the movement of a stealthy predator
is difficult because everything's swaying about. And, brisk winds greatly
scatter scent molecules, making it difficult for deer to determine where
smells are coming from, and how close the producer of a specific scent
might be. As a result, deer often try to find shelter from the wind. The
smart bowhunter will know where deer go to escape the wind and have stand
sites ready in these locations. Look for thick, brushy areas or tracts
of land with dense tree cover. I especially like to hunt where natural
terrain features block the wind. While deer don't move around much when
it's blowing, they will meander around small, sheltered areas while they
wait for the weather to change.

A `topo' map can help you locate areas
where deer might head to escape the wind. Search for places where the elevation
lines are close together (denoting a steep grade) and perpendicular to
the wind.

With winds under 15mph I stay in my treestand. But when it starts to blow
harder I like to still-hunt. A 20mph+ day is about the only time that I
feel it's worth the effort, for me at least, to try and sneak up on a deer.
I've been able to get very close to deer on windy days because they seem
to be "visually overloaded" from all the movement in the woods.
Also, don't be surprised to find deer out in tiny patches of cover in the
middle of big open places when it's howling. Some deer feel more comfortable
in such places because they can danger coming from a long way off here.

Snow
Snow storms typically send deer into thick cover. Light snow, on the other
hand, may not affect deer movement at all. Still-hunting on a snowy day
isn't as easy as when the wind is blowing, but it can be easier than when
rain is falling. Falling snow flakes can hide your movement in the woods.
Of course, still-hunting at this time only works if the snow on the ground
isn't the type that crunches or squeaks with every step you take. Heavy
snowfalls are difficult to hunt in because visibility is greatly reduced.
This may hide you from the deer, but it also hides the deer from you.

Limit Your Shooting
in Bad Weather
Inclement weather places another burden on the bowhunter. Wind, rain and
snow almost always mean that it's going to be more difficult to make a
perfect shot or follow up on a shot. Rain can quickly wash away even the
best of bloodtrails. It can also cause arrows to fly erratically. I've
had feather-fletched arrows strike 6" low in 3-D targets at 20 yards
while shooting in a downpour! Wind and snow aren't much better. It's not
easy to shoot accurately with your bow being blown all over the place,
especially if you're in a tree stand. Snow usually means colder weather
and heavier clothing, both of which can make it harder to execute a good
shot. In good weather I feel very comfortable shooting out to 35 yards,
but when the weather is bad I rarely attempt a shot beyond 20 yards. I
want to be as certain as possible of my shot placement when the weather
is nasty.

Safety Considerations
Finally, be extra careful while hunting in bad weather. Hypothermia can
occur in temperatures well above freezing when you're wet and/or sitting
in the wind. Tree steps and ladders can become dangerously slick when wet
or snow covered. Also, strong winds can make standing up in a treestand
downright dangerous, especially if your stand is in a smaller tree...you
know one that sways a few feet side to side with each gust. Be practical!
Stay home if the weather's really bad. They'll be other, and definitely
better, days to hunt...as long as you don't kill yourself trying to tough-out
mother nature.